Homeschool Sports Eligibility: 100% is > 51%
An Essay on Homeschool Sports Eligibility read comments...
by Chris Davis, Executive Director of Homeschool SportsNet
(published July 16, 2015) Homeschool sports organizations should not try to define homeschool sports eligibility as if they are trying to define homeschool academics, that has already been settled by law in each state. Apparently, gone are the days when a “homeschooling setting” is defined as 100% of coursework taught by a parent.
Too many examples of homeschool definitions cite a 51% threshold? Well, then, what is the other 49%? A true homeschool plan is crafted and directed by homeschool parents, so why not make the definition 100% of the homeschool plan? – which should always start with and include compliance to an individual state’s homeschool laws and the student has not graduated.
Let’s just say, for every homeschool family there is a “best-fit” way for it to maintain the homeschool lifestyle – nowadays a mish-mash of co-ops, dual enrollment, online work and seatwork (at home) with a myriad of combinations that just can’t be pigeon-holed or made “the standard” for all to follow. Particularly for the high school age students, It’s almost as if schoolwork at home is a “last resort” – and that’s OK, if a family can meet their homeschool needs outside the home.
Homeschool support groups, co-op groups and sports groups are tight-knit and everyone knows the “regulars” – those families that have homeschooled for years; probably all the siblings have gone through the same sports program for years. And of course, these groups are very capable in responding to new families to get them into the mix. Many times these ‘veteran’ families implement a plan for their junior/senior that involves dual enrollment part-time OR full-time, why should it matter – it doesn’t change their mission statement.
A homeschool sports program shouldn’t have to be burdened with policing when, where, how, and why a homeschool family plan is in effect. If they are homeschooling “in good standing” – complying with state and possible local school jurisdiction requirements, then they will be welcomed with open arms to any sports program for homeschoolers.
But something is missing.
Homeschool sports programs face many challenges that could result in their demise, among the list is recruitment from other schools, states with the so-called “Tebow Bill”, and dwindling rosters. Homeschool sports advocates need to be proactive to ensure that no homeschool team shrivels up and dies. Who stands up for a homeschool team when the local private school in crafty ways entice homeschool players to “join our team”. By law (“Tebow Bill ”) homeschoolers are encouraged to play at the public school ( of course they have to make the team, etc) – but this can’t be stopped if it is the law, and let’s face it, many homeschool families like this!
It seems commonplace, maybe common sense that the so-called “homeschool football” teams (11-man) are hybrid community teams or FCA type teams where the type of education can be mixed. Although not standardized, there appears to be a movement to establish rulings to make these teams “homeschool-majority” based.
With that homeschool football standard permitted and accepted, should it be applied to other homeschool sports under drastic conditions if it means preserving and protecting an established team? Possibly, under certain conditions.
Many coaches and organizers of homeschool sports will agree that the biggest mission is to be an outreach and use their platform for testimony and spiritual growth for all involved. As long as these organizations remain homeschool-centric and homeschool-majority – it is more important to keep the mission and sometimes necessary to open the door for those from other educational paths to be loved and embraced. By a wide majority a homeschool organization will keep its identity and most will never have to reach out to other students, but for the occasional few teams who are desperate to continue, it won’t hurt the homeschool nation to help these teams with some understanding and an exception from time to time.
As one of the pioneers in homeschool sports, HSPN has been on top of the flexibility and changes in homeschooling since 1991 and today is no different. This essay, we believe, is the best model for today's time. As long as there is no ONE NATIONAL governing body for Homeschool Athletics for ALL SPORTS, then the best fit, as always, is to get back to our roots of establishing a Christian environment that we control that is both an outreach and a sports ministry - designed by and for homeschool parents, leaders and students.
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RELATED Article (Summer 2014): I am about to step in it, I know! Be sure to read my conclusion though.
But with over 20 years or coaching, leading, tracking and supporting homeschool sports, I kind of feel like I am qualified to touch on this subject. I love homeschool sports, every aspect of it and my desire is to what I can to help any homeschooler live the dream of having a platform for Christ at the highest level he/she can reach without barriers. (That glass ceiling gets shattered every year!)
It is a huge understatement to say that homeschooling has changed since the early 90s. We are blessed to see the open doors of opportunities of dual enrollment, on-line studies, CLEP, co-ops, umbrella organizations and more. But here is where the lines began to blur so much that a ‘traditional homeschooler’ is nearly impossible to define, unless you want to refer to the early pioneers (a dual-play on words) !
During this time, thanks be to GOD, homeschool sports has sky-rocketed in terms of talent, scope and popularity. Now, many homeschool teams out number and out play other types of school teams. But with this progress, comes newer scenarios that should cause us to reflect a little bit on where we are heading.
Dual-enrollment has evolved to the point where students are never at home, yet arguably are qualified homeschoolers. Some homeschoolers ‘dual-enroll’ at private or public schools now rather than the community college. Homeschoolers? It is very common for high school age homeschoolers to spend all of their time taking on-line college classes. This is great, but is this homeschooling? Some don’t even consider ‘unschoolers’ as homeschoolers.
Arguments are made all the time that all of these scenarios are acceptable, others say ‘no way!’, still others pick and choose which ones are ok. Not all private schools are happy when some schools allow dual enrolled homeschoolers to play on their teams. We have added so many exceptions to the eligibility rules that it is all beyond blurred. We can’t even seem to agree on when a graduation is legitimate – i.e. what if I graduate early?
Some rules say 51% of schooling at home – to meet high school requirements? Does a parent have to produce papers (transcripts)?. What about the increase in “5th year seniors” who stick around to take 1 high school class while doing online college courses all day. We all know this happens.
Now let’s take a look at the impact on homeschool sports, and I will start with homeschool football. I am a huge football fan, I love to track the progress of homeschool football and root for its progress all the time. I love the football rankings too! I am not picking on football, but it calls for an example.
Homeschool football has a problem in its definition. Yes, football is a ‘different’ sport with different needs, but imagine if homeschool basketball teams were allowed to have public and private school students on the team, and they were starters on that homeschool team. An example from National Homeschool Football Championship Series
Other sports have different rules and definitions and yet all are called homeschool sports. So, who is correct? Could there be friction with other schools and conferences who are also trying to grow a program? Are we giving homeschooling a bad name? Are all of these definitions and scenarios creating advantages for some teams?
Some of you are, like me, current or former coaches, ADs, tournament directors, etc and are sometimes left wondering what to do. As a national tournament director, am I supposed to ask for transcripts, fingerprints, birth certificates and essays to see if a player is eligible to play? Maybe.
It all goes back to the direction and guidance of the parents using avenues that work the best for them and the homeschool sports nation must adapt.
To continue my service for all homeschoolers that want to have an avenue to play sports, I am personally considering this idea:
Traditional Amateur Sports could be a blanket term for traditional (homeschool) students who play on a team that is neither a public, private or club team AND are 18 years of age or younger as of August 1st. (my suggestion)
If the only way a mostly homeschool team can compete is to pick up players (that can prove they are not already on some other school team), then this works with a little groundwork to be done. It solves the homeschool football definition too. And it makes the life of tournament directors easier! And it might remove any negative light on homeschool sports.
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